News Updates

Manitoba Government Announces FIlm Industry Development Funding

Posted on October 9, 2014

(Winnipeg, October 9, 2014) — At a media conference earlier today announcing Provincial Government support for On Screen Manitoba, Executive Director Nicole Matiation thanked the Province for its long-term investment in the media production business. She also recognized other stakeholders including Manitoba Film and Music, The Winnipeg Film Office and Film Training Manitoba that contribute to the success of the industry.
 
The press conference was held on the set of Sunnyside, a sketch comedy series wrapping in Winnipeg this week. Jobs and the Economy Minister Theresa Oswald announced the two year investment of just over half a million in On Screen Manitoba and Tourism, Culture, Sport, Heritage and Consumer Protection Minister Ron Lemieux joined Minister Oswald in speaking to the value of the industry on behalf of the Province.
 
“Manitoba understands the value of the media production business from both an economic and a cultural perspective,” said Nicole Matiation Executive Director On Screen Manitoba. “Funding over two years allows On Screen Manitoba to implement effective market access and business development initiatives for Manitoba companies.”

Currently, there are some 500 Manitoba crew and a 155 roles for Manitoba actors scheduled and more to come for the 3 features, and 2 dramatic TV series currently in production. In addition other Manitoba production companies are working on a couple of feature documentaries and several factual series.
 
Manitoba actor Ernesto Griffith who wrapped up shooting for Sunnyside earlier this week took the podium as well, thanking the media production industry in Manitoba for the opportunity to work in his home province.
 
Last fall, On Screen Manitoba released an economic impact evaluation of the media production sector that demonstrated the industry's contribution to both the economic and cultural fabric of Manitoba.
 
Some key highlights from the study include:

The total annual production volume in Manitoba  is $108M for some 67 projects;
The industry generates an average of 1270 highly skilled jobs annually;
The industry contributes $71M annually to the GDP of Manitoba;
The industry attracts of nearly $60M annually from outside of the Province;
50% of MB production companies are run by women;
23% of MB companies have some Aboriginal ownership; and
Francophone companies represent just 3% of MB production companies they do 16% of the business.

On Screen Manitoba is a vibrant non-profit member-driven association that leads, builds and represents the Manitoba media production industry.

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